“Teacher Sun, there’s no need for a battle!”

  Xiao Li laughed.

  “It can’t be that you’re giving up as well, right?”

  Tong Yiming was surprised. (What is going on with you guys?)

  “Teacher Xiao, please don’t do this.”

  Sun Mo tried to persuade him, but it was useless.

  “That’s right, I’m giving up.”

  When Xiao Li drew Sun Mo as his opponent, he had made this decision without any hesitation. It was because Sun Mo was the guy who had helped him find his honor back.

  “.……”

  “Teacher Sun, if I can pass the examination this time around, I’ll do my best to catch up to your footsteps. Let’s determine the victor between us in the 3-star great teacher examinations.”

  After Xiao Li said that, he then smiled in self-mockery. “But given your talent, you should go fight for the glory of rising by three stars in a year, right?”

  “Teacher Xiao, your mentality isn’t right. What do you mean by ‘if you can pass’? You should be more confident.”

  Sun Mo frowned, feeling a little begrudging.

  He understood Xiao Li’s mentality. When someone kept on losing, they’d lack confidence even if they had the chance to win. They’d be scared of losing.

  “Yes, Teacher Sun is right!”

  Xiao Li bowed slightly, humbly receiving the teaching. He hadn’t adjusted his mentality.

  Ding!

  Favorable impression points from Xiao Li +100. Respect (1,920/10,000).

  Xiao Li’s attitude made many examinees tsked. What the hell? Xiao Li looked very respectful toward Sun Mo. That shouldn’t be the case. Didn’t they say that his arm was broken by Sun Mo? He should hate Sun Mo, right?

  “That is old news. Don’t you know that Jiang Zhitong didn’t wish to let Sun Mo participate in the examination, intentionally making things difficult for him? He said that Sun Mo can only take the examination if Xiao Li can. Therefore, Sun Mo used the Ancient Dragon Capturing Hands to cure his broken arms.”

  Some examinees didn’t care about gossip and focused on their students. However, a few of them liked such rumors and would spread them tirelessly.

  Xiao Li walked over to the side of the arena and jumped off it. This scene instantly brought a huge commotion.

  “What happened? Aren’t they going to fight?”

  “Didn’t you hear that? That middle-aged man gave up!”

  “What the hell? Is there some kind of shady deal? Is this Sun Mo’s the illegitimate son of the Saint Gate’s Sect Lord? Why did most of his opponents give up?”

  The people who had bet on Xiao Li were enraged. They felt that their money had gone down the drain.

  He was at the Longevity Realm, a seed candidate who could get first place. Everyone would have nothing to say if he had lost in an open and aboveboard manner, but what was with giving up when he had no injuries at all?

  This was like betting on Brazil winning the championship, but after they reached the semi-finals, with a complete team, they suddenly announced that they were dropping out from the competition. Who would be able to accept this?

  A lot of bankers were going crazy, let alone the people who placed the bets. In this short moment, there were probably many people who wanted to see Xiao Li dead.

  However, very soon, the scoldings and doubts implicated Sun Mo. They said that there were shady dealings or that he had bribed Xiao Li.

  This was what Xiao Li couldn’t accept. He stopped in his footsteps and let out a strong bellow.

  “Everyone, I’m sure that you guys must have heard the rumors between myself and Teacher Sun. That’s right, they are all right!”

  Xiao Li admitted honestly.

  “I’m trash who had taken part in the 2-star great teacher for the fifth time. If I were to fail again this year, I’ll forever lose the chance to upgrade my star level. To speak the truth, when I came, I didn’t have confidence. However, as I had a bet with someone else, I had no choice but to come participate in the examination……

  “Therefore, I was jealous of a genius who’s able to have his star level raised consecutively when he has just graduated. Moreover, I drank too much the other day and thus offended Teacher Sun.

  “My arms were broken and even my last chance was gone. At one point, I even wanted to give up on being a teacher and planned on going back to the countryside and be a cowherd. However, Teacher Sun didn’t hold the past against me. He used the Ancient Dragon Capturing Hands to help join my bones together and dispel the doubts that I had, allowing me to rebuild my confidence and standing in this examination location.

  “That’s right, I’m already a middle-aged man and have been stuck at the ninth level of the divine force realm for many years. Thanks to Teacher Sun’s generosity was I then able to advance to the Longevity Realm. If I were to still fight against him, what kind of great teacher would I be?”

  Xiao Li said all these in one breath and then turned to bow down deeply toward Sun Mo.

  “Without Teacher Sun, there won’t be me! I’ll forever remember your favor! Thank you, Teacher Sun!”

  Xiao Li said with great sincerity.

  Ding!

  Favorable impression points from Xiao Li +300. Respect (2,220/10,000).

  The entire place was silent. It was only now that everyone noticed that Xiao Li had been using honorifics to address Sun Mo.

  “I knew it. There must be an inside story.”

  “Isn’t Sun Mo’s character too noble? To think that he made so many people willingly give up?”

  “Don’t forget, all these people are considered his rivals. If you were him, would you help them to become stronger? This is very broad-minded of him!”

  Not just the audience, even the examinees started to feel admiration for Sun Mo.

  “Winning over people by virtues. This is the true realm of a great teacher!”

  Ma Zhang felt emotional. He hadn’t made a wrong choice in acknowledging this teacher.

  On the judges seats, the major characters felt very emotional as well. They wouldn’t find it strange if a great teacher with a high star level was to do something like this. But how old was Sun Mo?

  Someone with such broadmindedness was really not easy to come by.

  Mei Yazhi threw a glance at Jiang Zhitong. As expected, his countenance turned so black that it was like the bottom of a pot that had been brushed by charcoal ash.

  The more famous Sun Mo became, the more embarrassing it was for the Jiang Clan.

  “Cough cough! Everyone, be quiet!”

  Sun Mo spoke up. He didn’t use a lot of force, but his clear voice instantly rang through the entire battle dojo.

  “Teacher Xiao is too kind. I’ve only done some insignificant things. The reason Teacher Xiao can break through the bottleneck is because of his good aptitude.”

  Sun Mo didn’t dare to accept the bow. He gestured for Xiao Li to quickly get up.

  “Teacher Sun, don’t be modest!”

  Someone from the spectators stand shouted. Then, applause rang out. After a few breaths, the applause was deafening.

  Sun Mo’s handsome looks, good figure, simple dressing, and his polite attitude when facing praises……

  Of course, the most important thing was still talent. Without any exceptions, all of these fulfilled the illusions the audiences had toward great teachers. They felt that this was the attitude that a great teacher should have.

  “In the future, I also want to become a great teacher like Teacher Sun!”

  A young boy was holding his mother’s hand and swore.

  However, the examinees were more interested in Sun Mo’s great teacher halo.

  “This is Lingering Sound, right? It sounds really nice! It’s said that it can let the listener unknowingly become immersed in it.”

  “I heard that Sun Mo also knows some halos at the level of Teacher for a Day, Father for Life!”

  “Huh? Doesn’t that mean that he can get people to kneel down and drop to their knees?”

  The examinees talked amongst themselves.

  From the perspective of most great teachers who came from ordinary backgrounds, one could get into top-notch famous schools through family connections; one could swallow peak-grade alchemical pills and natural fruits to raise their realms. Even getting a girlfriend from the Devastating Beauty Rankings might not be reliant on one’s own conditions.

  However, great teacher halos were the only thing that couldn’t be faked. It was because no matter what price you paid, it’d be impossible to buy them. It’d depend on themselves to comprehend it.

  Therefore, the more halos one comprehended, the greater the envy one would receive because this represented true wisdom and power.

  In the great teacher world, you might not necessarily receive respect even if you were a specially recruited professor from the Nine Greats or a royalty. However, the higher your star level, then the greater the heartfelt respect you’d get.

  It was because each star level represented the relative number of great teacher halos that one must comprehend.

  “It seems that I’ll have to invite Sun Mo to a meal.”

  Liang Hongda assessed Sun Mo, suddenly feeling very envious of a youngster like him.

  He looked at how Xiao Li had to be so loud to speak up, then at Sun Mo, who was able to speak with great ease using Lingering Sound.

  “Teacher Sun, leave some face for me!”

  Xiao Li teased. (I really want Lingering Sound too. After comprehending it, I won’t have to worry about people not hearing me when I speak when many others are also talking.)

  As it was another round when one side gave in, there were no examinees who were depleted or needed rest. Therefore, after getting Bai Shuang’s agreement, the judges decided to immediately start the battle for the top two.

  The battle for Bai Shuang vs. Sun Mo was starting officially.

  On the arena, the main examiner waited until the two of them went up. He then couldn’t help but look toward Bai Shuang, asking, “You won’t be giving up, right?”

  The main examiner was really scared. If this carried on, there’d be no quantity nor quality at all.

  “Why do I have to give up?” Bai Shuang asked. “I’ve been waiting for this moment from the start of the examinations.”

  “That’s good then!”

  The main examiner felt assured.

  Bai Shuang looked toward Sun Mo. “Teacher Sun, I won’t hold back for Gu Qingyan’s sake. Therefore, there’s still time for you to give up now. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being brutal.”

  The main examiner’s assured feelings spiked again. He threw a worried glance at Sun Mo.

  (Don’t be giving up.)

  However, he also hoped to see Sun Mo giving up. To speak the truth, after the days of invigilating the examinations, his impression of Sun Mo wasn’t bad. Therefore, he didn’t wish for Sun Mo to be beaten up badly by Bai Shuang.

  Who was Bai Shuang?

  She was the top graduate of the Skyraise Academy, a great spirit controller. However, she had been too busy and didn’t have the time to come take the examination. Otherwise, she’d have become a 2-star great teacher long ago.

  If Sun Mo hadn’t beaten up Gu Qingyan so badly that he kept himself secluded, running to the Darkness Continent to exile himself, she wouldn’t have taken part in the examination this year either.

  “What to do? This person is so fierce!”

  Lu Zhiruo felt a little worried and she tugged Li Ziqi’s sleeves. It was because she sensed a powerful aura coming from Bai Shuang.

  She must have a very powerful spiritual beast.

  “Be calm!”

  Li Ziqi patted the papaya girl’s hand. “Teacher won’t lose!”

  Although the little sunny egg said this, she was feeling very anxious inside. It was because she had found out from her information broker that Bai Shuang was so amazing she didn’t seem human.

  “Vice Sect Lord, should we persuade her a little?”

  Mei Yazhi frowned. “Both Sun Mo and Bai Shuang are talented rising stars of our great teacher world. No matter which one of them gets injured, it’d be a great loss.”

  “Teacher Mei, what you’ve said isn’t right. How would one grow without going through the wind and the rain?”

  Jiang Zhitong interrupted and then looked at Mei Yazhi’s beautiful dignified looks. He couldn’t help but feel jealous. Damn it, it was really something to be handsome. Even such a peak-grade woman would speak up for him.

  Chapter 588: Peerless Saint-Tier Spiritual Control Secret Technique!

  “Teacher Bai, you repeatedly provoked me. Even a man made of mud would have three points of anger!”

  Sun Mo mocked.

  Speaking of anger, he didn’t really feel it. After all, outsiders would want to know why Bai Shuang kept provoking Sun Mo. So, Sun Mo’s achievements of crushing Gu Qingyan in the 1-star great teacher examination spread further and further, boosting Sun Mo’s fame.

  Bai Shuang was ranked 11th on the Great Teachers Hero Rankings. Speaking of fame, hers was much greater compared to Sun Mo’s. Also, she rose to fame even earlier in comparison.

  So, even if Sun Mo lost the fight, he could still feel proud despite being defeated. But if Bai Shaung lost, she would become Sun Mo’s stepping stone.

  Naturally, given Bai Shuang’s pure personality, she wouldn’t consider such details.

  “You are not convinced? Either you endure it or defeat me!”

  Bai Shuang sneered. “Are you prepared?”

  Sun Mo originally didn’t have any other thoughts, but when he saw Bai Shuang’s expression like she would never lose, he also became unhappy.

  (Why would you feel you would win against me for sure?)

  (Am I that weak?)

  “Since Teacher Bai felt that she would definitely be able to teach me a lesson, how about we make a bet?”

  Sun Mo suggested.

  “Are you sure?”

  Bai Shuang counter-asked.

  Hua~

  All the examinees on the scene were in an uproar. Bai Shuang’s tone was simply saying that Sun Mo was taking the initiative in courting a rebuff.

  “If I lose, I will give free massages to a person of your choice for three years. But if you lose, you have to come and teach in the Central Province Academy for free for three years.”

  Sun Mo set the bet.

  “Has Sun Mo gone mad? Why is he willing to give massages for free?”

  “Yeah, although Bai Shuang has a very high talent in the art of spiritual control, she isn’t too experienced and her teaching capabilities might not be sufficient. This bet is clearly not of equal value, right?”

  “At such a time, he shouldn’t have said such things for the sake of gaining face. He should have just endured it.”

  The examinees discussed. All of them felt that Sun Mo was too careless.

  “Teacher Sun, don’t speak nonsense. Also, Teacher Bai, please pay attention to your words and bearing. Being so menacing is a let down to the prestige of great teachers.”

  Mei Yazhi persuaded Sun Mo out of good will. She had seen Bai Shuang’s strength a few years ago when she was the main examiner that observed the competition at the nine supreme-grade schools. Hence, she knew that Bai Shuang was truly very powerful.

  “Teacher Mei, can you please not disrupt the competition between examinees?”

  Jiang Zhitong ran on a bank. He wanted nothing more than for Sun Mo to lose and give free labor to Bai Shuang.

  “Disruption? I’m trying to prevent the emotions of the examinees from affecting their decisions, wanting to stop them from destroying their future!”

  Mei Yazhi’s personality was very good and she disliked arguing with others. But when she really started to scold someone, she would seem imposing without being angry. After all, Jiang Zhitong’s father was a 6-star great teacher ultimately.

  However, Jiang Zhitong repeatedly tried to stir up trouble for Sun Mo. Mei Yazhi truly couldn’t bear to see this.

  “Eh!”

  Jiang Zhitong’s expression turned awkward. After that, he felt anger as he stared at her. (You are a 6-star great teacher, but what has gotten into you? Why are you speaking up for Sun Mo?)

  (You are simply lowering your own status.)

  “Teacher Mei, we are examiners……”

  Jiang Zhitong deliberated his wording but didn’t continue because he was suddenly engulfed by the light from a great teacher halo that was cast by Mei Zhiya.

  “Shut up. You also know you are an examiner? In that case, why are you so impetuous and ruled by your emotions?”

  Mei Yazhi’s beautiful brows furrowed as she berated fiercely, “How magnanimous is your father? He basically didn’t care about Sun Mo’s ‘offensive act’. But what about you? You just want to make sure Sun Mo suffers, not wanting to spare him at all. You have simply thrown the face of your father and the entire Jiang Clan away.”

  Jiang Zhitong was so angry that his face was completely flushed. No matter what, he was still a 3-star great teacher and a high-level staff from the Saint Gate. Wherever he went, he would be treated politely. But now, on this judging panel, he was lectured and disciplined like a dog.

  His face was entirely tarnished.

  Jiang Zhitong really felt like cursing someone.

  Naturally, he didn’t dare to do so. Even if he dared, he wasn’t able to speak now because of the effect of Mei Yazhi’s halo.

  “It’s Angling for Fame!”

  “A high-ranking great teacher is simply so impressive. They lecture 3-star great teachers like how one would lecture a dog!”

  “However, Jiang Zhitong is truly asking for it. He keeps thinking that his Jiang Clan is one-tier higher than others and always looks down on everyone.”

  The examiners had calm looks on their faces when they saw this scene but were silently joyful. A lot of people were unhappy with Jiang Zhitong, but they couldn’t afford to offend him and they had no choice but to ignore his actions.

  “Jiang Zhitong, just think carefully. Do you really think you can sit among the judges with your own abilities? It’s all due to your father’s influence.”

  Mei Zhiya went straight to the point, leaving no face for Jiang Zhitong.

  (Hehe, you finally antagonized someone you can’t afford to, right?)

  (The Mei Clan’s influence isn’t any weaker than your Jiang Clan. After all, your clan is just a clan that focuses on spirit runes. How can your influence be greater than an alchemist?)

  (Moreover, Mei Yazhi herself is an alchemy grandmaster. Ten years later, she might even become an ancestor-level alchemist. At that time, let alone you, Jiang Zhitong, even your father Jiang Wei had to speak politely when he met Mei Yazhi.)

  “Teacher Mei, calm down!’

  Liang Hongda smiled and persuaded, causing Jiang Zhitong to feel like he had lost face because Liang Hongda didn’t mention his name.

  However, this was normal as well. It was like a Changjiang Scholar[1] scolding a teacher from an ordinary university. Disregarding whether you made a mistake or not, your statuses were already unequal.

  Even if Liang Hongda had brain damage, he wouldn’t care about Jiang Zhitong. At most, he would comfort him a little after this matter was over.

  “Hmph!”

  Jiang Zhitong left the area.

  “Perfect. It’s finally quiet now!”

  A major character spoke, immediately causing many people to burst out in laughter.

  Jiang Zhitong, who had walked roughly about ten meters away, clenched his fists tightly when he heard the laughter. The hatred in his heart deepened.

  “Sun Mo, I cannot exist together with you!”

  In the past, Jiang Zhitong already wanted to lecture Sun Mo and make him understand the status of his Jiang Clan in the great teacher world. He wanted Sun Mo to apologize to him and admit that his words were wrong. But now, it was useless even if Sun Mo apologized.

  Jiang Zhitong wanted Sun Mo to feel pain.

  “Also, Mei Yazhi. I, Jiang Zhitong, will remember the humiliation today. In the future, I will definitely return it to you tenfold!”

  Jiang Zhitong vowed.

  “Do you guys still want to make a bet?”

  The judging panel wasn’t far from the arena. Hence, the little dispute was naturally seen by Bai Shuang.

  “A man’s words are worth a thousand gold. Since I’ve spoken, I won’t change my words!”

  After Sun Mo spoke, he bowed slightly toward the judging panel. “Thank you for the concern from all the teachers here. I feel that such a bet can be considered some sort of tempering exercise for Teacher Bai and me.”

  “This Sun Mo truly has a way with words!”

  Liang Hongda sighed. By speaking like this, he shifted everyone onto Mei Yazhi’s side, helping her to share the ‘firepower’.

  So now, even if the Jiang Clan wasn’t happy, they could only endure.

  Mei Yazhi no longer spoke because this was her way of teaching. She would only interfere once.

  To speak a word of fairness, it wasn’t because Sun Mo had helped Mei Ziyu before that she decided to speak up for Sun Mo. Rather, she was truly worried for the future of these two geniuses.

  “We have wasted quite a lot of time. In that case, combatants, shall we begin?”

  The main examiner asked.

  “Bai Shuang, fifth level of the divine force realm. Please guide me!”

  “Sun Mo, third level of the divine force realm. Please guide me!”

  After they exchanged greetings, Sun Mo shot out like a sharp arrow, piercing forth with ferocious momentum as he took the initiative to attack with his wooden blade.

  “Don’t worry, I haven’t planned to summon my spiritual beasts!”

  Bai Shuang brandished her sword.

  Clang!

  The sounds of metal clashing rang out. Bai Shuang had swung her sword out horizontally, breaking apart Sun Mo’s attack.

  Sun Mo launched another one.

  The battle situation became extremely tense!

  “This is not going to be an easy fight!”

  Xuanyuan Po shook his head.

  “Yeah, that Bai Shuang has a high cultivation base and sufficient spirit qi reserve. Even her cultivation art is a top-graded one. Teacher doesn’t have too many advantages.”

  Jiang Leng spoke.

  “It’s over, it’s over. Even Jiang Leng is talking. Seems like this time around, Teacher has really encountered trouble!”

  The papaya girl started praying for Sun Mo. ……

  Bang! Bang! Bang!

  The wooden blade clashed against the sharp sword, emitting an exploding sound every single time.

  Five minutes later, Sun Mo who had been attacking frenziedly still hadn’t shown any signs of exhaustion.

  “Excellent!’

  The examinees were mesmerized by the battle and involuntarily cheered. This was the most fascinating performance. Even Wang Qing who had forfeited earlier felt that his action was correct. Otherwise, he would have been defeated by Sun Mo.

  “Do you feel that Sun Mo can win?”

  An uglier guy asked with a somewhat mocking tone.

  “Impossible!”

  An average-looking guy replied with no hesitation.

  “Haha, you’ve finally seen reality?” The uglier guy felt joyful. “I’ve long since said to bet on Bai Shuang and Xiao Li. Those who bet on Sun Mo are simply giving money to the banker.”

  “I have three shops!”

  The average-looking guy spoke in a concise and comprehensive manner.

  “Huh?”

  The uglier guy felt a little stunned.

  “I still have five courtyard houses. Three of them are located in the western mountain area of the Westmountain City.”

  The average-looking guy added.

  “.……”

  The uglier guy immediately felt like cursing. (The western mountain area? The place where the rich stay? A single house there is worth at least 3 million taels of silver.)

  “I love spending money for the sake of feeling happy!”

  The average-looking guy grinned. “It’s naturally good if I can win. But it doesn’t matter even if I lose.”

  “F***, do you think you are amazing because you are rich?”

  The uglier guy felt depressed. “I also have a shop!”

  “That’s right, being rich is amazing!”

  Another man at the side suddenly interjected. After he spoke, he glanced at the average-looking guy, “Master, should we buy over his shop?”

  The uglier guy immediately turned his head away. (Who the hell are you guys? I don’t know you all. Aiya, I need to pee urgently, excuse me!)

  In the arena, Sun Mo’s attacks gradually slowed while Bai Shuang started attacking. However, the effect wasn’t too great because Sun Mo’s movements were truly too wondrous.

  Sun Mo was using the Wind King Divine Steps. If he wanted to dodge, Bai Shuang wouldn’t be able to catch him.

  Pak!

  Bai Shuang suddenly halted. Raising her right hand, she pointed her index finger at Sun Mo.

  “It’s time for this to end!”

  As her voice faded, a ball of silver light the size of a walnut suddenly shot out from the tip of her index finger.

  Swish~

  The ball of light zoomed past Sun Mo’s ears, grazing it slightly. If his reaction was slightly slower, he would have lost an ear.

  Bai Shuang might have missed, but she was unconcerned. She continued to aim her index finger at Sun Mo.

  Swish~ Swish~ Swish~

  Balls of light continued to form as they zoomed through the air, resembling bullets shot from a handgun. This forced Sun Mo to continue dodging and weaving.

  “It has appeared…… Bai Shuang’s ultimate skill!”

  The examinees grew excited. When Bai Shuang first shot to fame, she didn’t depend on her spiritual beasts. Rather, it was this cultivation art. It was rumored that she had found this cultivation art from the ruins of darkness, and it was a peerless-grade saint-tier cultivation art.

  Even the major characters in the judging panel had their eyes wide open. After all, it was indeed very rare to see this cultivation art.

  “What an interesting attacking method!”

  Sun Mo’s lips twitched as he stared at the tens of golden pages floating in the air. “However, it will belong to me in a little while!”

  [1] The highest academic award issued to an individual in higher education by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China